Why Crunch Fitness's New Ohio Mega Gym Will Change Everything—Don’t Miss Out Before 2026!

Crunch Fitness, the popular New York-based gym chain, is set to expand its presence in Columbus, Ohio, with the grand opening of a new location at 2875 Olentangy River Rd. scheduled for December 29. This marks the third Crunch location in Columbus and is positioned conveniently for students at Ohio State University, located less than a ten-minute drive from campus.

With a spacious layout of 30,000 square feet and an additional 8,000 square feet earmarked for future expansion, the new gym aims to cater to a diverse membership base. General Manager Shelby Young emphasized the gym's commitment to inclusivity with their “no judgments” philosophy. “The biggest thing about Crunch, what makes us different, is our philosophy of no judgments. We make fitness fun and we offer a lot,” Young stated.

This new facility is strategically located to bridge a gap in Crunch's Columbus presence, as the two existing locations are situated on opposite sides of the city in Hilliard and Reynoldsburg. Young noted, “We wanted that middle ground and we wanted to target different demographics to utilize our facilities. That’s why we came to campus.”

The grand opening celebration on January 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., promises to be an engaging event. Attendees can expect activities including a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Brutus Buckeye, giveaways, raffles, vendor booths, and free tours of the gym. “We’ll have special classes going on and exclusive promos,” Young added.

Crunch is currently offering an enticing deal for prospective members: the first month’s membership is just $1.08 for online sign-ups. Membership options vary, with the Base membership costing $9.99 per month, offering access to weights, machines, cardio, sauna, and locker rooms. For $19.99 per month, the Peak Results membership includes group fitness classes, HIIT, cycling classes, tanning, hydro massage amenities, and access to all Crunch locations.

Young assured that upgrading from the Base to the Peak Results membership is straightforward and encourages members to try out fitness classes and amenities from the Peak Results plan without upfront costs. “We want everyone to make sure that they know what they’re getting,” Young said.

Maya Wijesooriya, a second-year student in sports industry and social media liaison for Crunch Fitness, highlighted the appeal of the new location for Ohio State students. “I personally know that the RPAC can be very packed for students, so I relate to that and recommend Crunch as an alternative that’s close to campus. It’s not crazy expensive, so it gives you the opportunity to test it out as a student,” she mentioned.

Assistant General Manager Bryson Ratcliff emphasized the strong community focus at Crunch Fitness. “Our biggest target is community and people. A lot of gyms have weights, machines and treadmills, but what we stand out with is the culture that we build within the community. It’s the most important thing to us,” Ratcliff said.

Wijesooriya pointed out another advantage of Crunch over other fitness centers in the area, saying, “At Crunch, we’re trying to bring you into the Crunch community. Our team is very friendly, and we go out of our way to welcome you in and show you how to use things.”

Looking forward to the gym’s opening, Ratcliff expressed excitement about building relationships within the Columbus community. “I’m excited to see the community we’ve built before the grand opening and getting to welcome everybody into our new home in Columbus,” he said.

The campus Crunch will have operational hours from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, providing ample access for all fitness enthusiasts.